Fishing in Wilmington

Wilmington is perched where the Cape Fear River flows into the Atlantic, offering a rare coastal city where freshwater and saltwater fisheries merge. Unlike more remote fishing towns, Wilmington combines small-town charm with big-boat access, including piers, beaches, and marinas threaded through lush coastal landscapes. This makes it ideal for casual family outings as well as adventurous anglers looking for variety in one weekend getaway. What's more, Wilmington is an important fishing port, with numerous reputable fishing charters ready to take you on your angling adventure.

Wilmington’s fishing appeal lies in its layered aquatic environments. The Cape Fear River and its marshy estuaries offer shaded channels and tidal creeks filled with coastal edge structure. Several manmade lake and secluded creeks supplement the freshwater fishing scene.Not far beyond, inshore reefs, wrecks, and nearshore ocean waters provide structure-rich fishing grounds in 15–30 feet of water, minus the long runs. These lie just minutes offshore, turning reef trips into accessible half-day adventures. Further offshore, Wilmington benefits from its proximity to the Gulf Stream and features like Frying Pan Shoals, where the bottom drops off sharply. These deep-water canyons attract pelagic gamefish, including billfish throughout the warmer months. And for a simpler adventure, walk-on fishing from the iconic Johnnie Mercers Pier or along drive-in beaches yields a surprisingly rich variety of targets from surf and pier angles.

One of the main species in the estuaries and bay channels around Wilmington is red drum (redfish), along with seabass, black drum and grunt. In the Cape Fear River, largemouth bass, striped bass and catfish are abundant. Nearshore you can find an assortment of groupers and snappers, triggerfish, amberjack and barracuda. Further offshore, Spanish and king mackerel, along with dolphinfish (mahi-mahi) are the staple catch of the fishing charters, and in the warmer months wahoo and even billfish may take the trolled bait or lure.

Estuary and backwater fishing around the river and marshes is best tackled with light spinning or fly fishing gear, drifting shrimp-imitating lures or live bait across sandbars and oyster edges. Flounder aficionados set up drift rigs near sunken structure, while nearshore anglers might bottom-fish wrecks or work spoons and live baits for mackerels and jacks. Offshore charters blend trolling with spread lures and rigged ballyhoo to tempt pelagic strikes, and evening pier or surf sessions rely on natural bait and steady bottom rigs for reef dwellers and passing migrants.